We watched in horror on January 6, 2021, as right-wing extremist groups attacked the Capitol Building trying to prevent the results of a free, fair and well-verified presidential election from being implemented. Our long and unbroken tradition of the peaceful transfer of power was indeed broken. We recently saw a similar attack occur in Brazil, and we watched in disbelief as it took 15 votes to elect a new Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. About 20 elected extremists decided that they would exercise their power to stop the proper functioning of the House, and it is clear that they want to keep doing that. They do not want to govern; they want to disrupt our government and gain attention for themselves.

We cannot allow this small group to stop the U.S. House of Representatives from being a functioning legislative body.

It is time for democracy to strike back. We must insist on having a well-functioning federal government working to meet our needs. Democrats, Republicans, and Independents need to work together for the country’s good and for the good of the people they represent. We are tired of being a polarized nation. We agree much more than we disagree. We can discuss our differences and work out compromises that meet our interests. That’s how democracy is supposed to work, how the government is supposed to work. That’s how America is supposed to work.

Most people in this country have similar values around the importance of family, our freedoms of speech and religion, the right to assemble peacefully, the importance of caring for each other, and the fundamental values of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We don’t agree on everything, but we know we must coexist on this planet. We need to respect each other and listen to each other.

We need our elected representatives to also respect and listen to each other – in support of our shared values. We need them to work together to provide legislation and funds that ensure our rights and secure us. That is the fundamental purpose of our government. We need them to put our needs above their own needs and the needs of their political party. We need them to work together and compromise when necessary to meet our needs. That is what we expect. It is time we demand it.

There are many essential issues in this country that require attention – climate change, escalating economic inequality, inflation, gun violence, immigration, and voting rights. These and others should be the focus of our federal legislators, not on making the other party look bad.

As a country, we need to embrace our differences. That is what makes us strong as a nation. When we are polarized, we are weak. That is why authoritarian leaders work to divide us.

When we are together, we can change the world. It is time we strike back for democracy.

Please utilize this action alert to encourage your members of Congress to work with their colleagues across the aisle, and the Capitol, on important and necessary bipartisan legislation.